Lyme Bay

[gjgm]

The so-called "terrors" of Lyme Bay are grossly exaggerated, IMHO.

It's no less "sheltered" than coastal cruising along the Devon or Cornwall coast: the only "nasty" thing about it is that it's forty miles across, with no realistic port of refuge if something breaks.

And 40 miles is a lot less than a X-channel passage
QUOTE]
I think part of that is because it is often the first real "cruise" for many people, thinking that at least the coast is near at hand, so it cant be that bad, forgetting it will probably be out of sight.
Ok, maybe you stop at Weymouth, but if not, the trip isnt 40 miles ,its about 100+ from Solent, surely. and then 40 miles "offshore" is something to think about. Also- and I still dont find this much fun- chugging along with nothing to look at and nothing to do is a bit dull.
Chuck in some deteriorating weather, Portland etc...easy to get apprehensive.
I always think of it as a chore to get through, I admit, unless you get flat water and take the inside-which IS fun.

 

[PhilipF]

Also- and I still dont find this much fun- chugging along with nothing to look at and nothing to do is a bit dull.
Chuck in some deteriorating weather, Portland etc...easy to get apprehensive.
I always think of it as a chore to get through, I admit, unless you get flat water and take the inside-which IS fun.[/QUOTE]
To my mind, this could people off the crossing, unnecessarily. True yours may well be the only boat around, sometimes. But on our last crossing westwards we 'enjoyed' the company of a very large navy ship, just pootling long about a mile on our port side. Really it was not going much faster than we were, and our speed is only ten knots. Another time we met a Chinese cargo ship, presumably on its way to Torbay. Just two encounters, among others I shall not forget. No, often not "dull".

We always 'aim' for Brixham, certainly easy to find. I'd also prefer to cross under an anticyclone. Just been reading Shane Spall's book. Tim was nervous about rounding the "Bill", this from Weymouth. They did it no problem, but the puzzle to me was that they made no mention of the amount of time to do the crossing. So assume they did not "suffer". Worth remembering they did this on a thirty five tonne _Barge_ and that that boats cruising speed was only seven and half knots!!

 

[benjenbav]

Some experts have been known to kick back a little and take it really quite easy across Lyme Bay:

Bless!

 

[hlb]

Cant remember how many times I have crossed Lyme Bay. For some reason it is very boreing, unlike going to the CI's which for some reason is not. Maybe it's because, going to the CI's, there are shipping lanes to cross. So always a bit of interest. But mostly crossing Lyme bay, you see nothing. Yet the sea state changes all the time, making you wonder if it will get worse still. But it does not.

In a desent boat and a F4 or less forcast, it's not a problem.

 

[lisilou]

Some experts have been known to kick back a little and take it really quite easy across Lyme Bay:

Bless!

Hahahahahaha

 

[prv]

Ok, maybe you stop at Weymouth, but if not, the trip isnt 40 miles ,its about 100+ from Solent, surely.

80 miles from the Needles to Brixham, cos I'm looking at sailing it some time in the next few months. Same distance as Cherbourg to Southampton via the east end of the IoW, which we did in one leg returning from the Scuttlebutt cruise last year.

Pete

 

[Montemar]

Weymouth to Brixham we came in towards Chesil beach and meandered about but on return trip went straight across. We found the lack of everything apart from the sea and sky exhilarating. All the usual pulls and pressures were absent. Refreshing and uplifting.


Sent from my straitjacket.